I've fallen out of favour.

[pointofspecificity]

[Locked to acleandive. Falling!Verse.]



[Arthur lives in a small, ranch-style house in LA, a residence he prefers to keep quiet about, and which only a select few people are aware of. It sits in the middle of a peaceful street, one where everyone keeps their business to themselves, and it’s the perfect place to retreat to when he wants to lock himself away, to keep the rest of the world out.

It’s been a busy few works, one thing or another cropping up and taking precedence, so he takes advantage of the quiet calm, the abrupt way that everything appears to have come to a halt, because he knows a storm will surely follow eventually and he doesn’t want to miss the chance.

An array of Chinese food is laid out across the glass coffee table in the living room, a half-empty bottle of wine in the middle, and black cushions are piled up at one end of the white sofa, an old and tatty patchwork blanket draped over his lap where he curls up with his eyes trained on the TV. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but to Arthur there really isn’t anything else like a quiet night in alone with a DVD and a book to follow, especially when the only alternatives are things he can never do in reality.

But he can’t help the wandering thoughts, wondering what Mal might be doing on this slow Friday night – he did contemplate calling her earlier in the evening, to see if he could go over or if she wanted to go out somewhere. The only thing that stopped him was the knowledge he would have to stand by and watch her, with him, and secretly wish she wasn’t. Sometimes he hates himself for thinking it, for wanting her to himself, and other times he hates Dom, for having what he can only dream of.

By this point he isn’t sure what it is he’s even watching and remembers, painfully, why he prefers to keep busy, to avoid sitting alone with nothing and no one to distract him from his own thoughts.]

Comments

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. [Her voice is barely above a whisper, a little lost in the night air as she stands there, not crossing the threshold even though he's offered.] Perhaps you are busy and I should not have come. I can leave.

[pointofspecificity]

Don't be silly. [It pains him to see her this way and he doesn't make much of an effort to hide it, a deeply etched frown of sadness and confusion lingering. He speaks softer now the surprise has worn off, sighing.] You know I always have time for you.

[He steps out, holds an arm around her back, though he barely touches her, never sure if it's appropriate and always worried he'll somehow manage to break her.] Come on, come inside before you freeze.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

It is not that cold mon ange. [Except it is and she steps into his home easily, seeking out the warmth as she crosses her arms aover herself, lifts her chin quizzically.] Am I interupting?

[pointofspecificity]

Sometimes bravery can turn into stupidity. [He closes the door, locks it, and wanders to the TV to switch it off, grabbing the blanket and putting it around her shoulders.] Nothing important, no.

[He looks at her for a minute, taking in how broken she seems.] What happened, Mal?

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[Mal clutches the edges of her blanket in small, pale hands and pulls it around herself like a shawl. Sitting down on his couch she kicks off her shoes and tucks her feet underneath her for a moment, not looking at him as she speaks.]

Dom and I had a fight. [Bowing her head.] He's around so very little and we had plans and he did not turn up, and I should not have shouted, but I fear he is married to that silver case more than he is married to me.

[pointofspecificity]

[The way he looks down at her crumpled form, expression full of sympathy and yearning, the slightest flash of anger at the idea of Dom taking such a beautiful thing for granted.]

Oh, Mal. [Sitting beside her, he puts an arm around her back, carefully pulls her toward him, lets her lean against his side.] I'm so sorry. I can talk to him, tell him he needs to take a break, spend time with his family.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[She immediately leans into him, fingers curling in his shirt front like something small needing protection. Mal shifts, presses her face into him.] He will not listen. My husband is near a breakthrough and it is more important. He said as much.

[pointofspecificity]

He doesn't mean it. You know yourself how powerful the dream world is, how easy it is to be taken by it. [He doesn't understand why he covers for Cobb, why he feels as if he stills owes him, that he always will. He regrets it the instant the words fall from his lips, feels an anger towards the man for taking something as precious as Mal for granted, picking her up and dropping her off as if she were nothing more than luggage.]

Shh, it's okay. [He draws her in closer, his hold around her firmly there, but light, gentle, and he slowly sways them a little, soothingly, his hand rubbing against her back.] I'm here. You know I'm always here. I'll keep you company until he stops being an idiot. [He heaves a sigh, trying to ignore the ache deep in his chest at the idea of her going back to him - he can say for certain because he isn't Dom, he doesn't have Mal, but he believes he would never treat her the way he does if he did.] You can stay here tonight.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[She breathes in his scent like it's calming, grounding her in a way she wasn't sure could be possible. Arthur is always gentle with her, like she's something delicate to protect and keep safe and usually she would tease him for it, cajole him, but right now, feeling as uncared for as she does, his touch feels beautiful.]

I hate to be impinging on you, mon amie. I should go home, get out of your hair.

[pointofspecificity]

[The second she speaks of leaving, he draws her in closer, holds onto her a little tighter, as if he isn't prepared to let her, not unless he knows it's what she really wants.] Stay. If it's what you need, you should stay.

[He smiles softly down at her, fingers gently stroking her hair.] Il m'apporte toujours une grande joie quand je suis honoré de votre présence.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Tres bien, mon ange. [She smiles and it's almost normal, if not for the teartracks on her face and the way her lower lip trembles slightly as she breathes.] You truly do not mind?

[pointofspecificity]

No, Mal, I really don't mind. [He knows it's probably cross a line somewhere, but he doesn't stop to care, placing both hands against her face, thumbs carefully wiping away what's left of the tears.] I never did like to see an angel cry, it's heart-breaking.

[He gestures to the cooling food scattered over the coffee table, the bottle of wine.] Have you eaten?

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[Shaking her head and offering him a weak but genuine smile.] I am not hungry, but please, you must carry on with your evening and don't let me spoil it so.

[pointofspecificity]

Oh, Mal. [Sighing, he brushes the back of his hand gently against her cheek briefly.] You couldn't ruin anything if you tried. I'm a lot more concerned about you than I am my night alone.

[He carefully pulls out of her reach, scooping up everything from the table in his arms and disappearing into the kitchen to put the food into the fridge, fetching a clean wine glass when he returns that he fills up and hands to her.] We need to do something to cheer you up.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[She takes the wine glass and craddles it to her, watching him with wide doe-eyes. Shaking her head, she leans back, blanket still tugged around her small body.] I am fine.

[pointofspecificity]

I wish you were. [He picks up one of the cushions, sits down in its place.] Have you considered a vacation?

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[She turns, like she's on a string drawn in to Arthur and shakes her head.] I would not wish to go anywhere alone.

[pointofspecificity]

There must be someone willing to go with you, a friend, a relation. [He frowns in thought, looks down at the cushion where he picks at a loose thread.] I could go with you, if you wanted - if there was no one else.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Would - [Looking at him curiously.] Would you?

[pointofspecificity]

[Looking up, he seems surprised, shrugs to cover up how big of a deal it is to him that she would even consider it.] Of course I would. If you're sure. You need a break and if company is the only thing stopping you, I'd like to help.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[Nodding a little.] Can we look into it, mon ange?

[pointofspecificity]

Sure. Is there anywhere special you want to go? [He glances over at the clock that sits on top of the mantel piece above the fire and realises it's not quite as late as he thought, then reaches down beside the couch and retrieves a laptop.] I'm paying, so you might want to take advantage.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

I cannot ask you to part with your own money to entertain my fancy.

[pointofspecificity]

You're not asking, I'm offering. [He says it with a firm nod, as if it's final.] Besides, it's not about the money, Mal, you really need a break.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[Tugging at her blanket between her fingers.] If you're sure?

[pointofspecificity]

[He puts aside the laptop, decides the details can wait for a change, and rests back against the soft, turns at an angle to see her better.] Of course I am. [He takes her hand, brushes his fingers soothingly over the top.] Your state of mind means more to me than anything.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

You're so very kind, my lamb. [Smiling at him a little now.] Where would I be without you?

[pointofspecificity]

I dread to think. [He half smiles, half laughs, wearing an expression similar to that of someone mentally rolling their eyes.] Your husband doesn't know what he's missing.

Is there anything you need? You can take control of the TV, if you want, or we could do something to take your mind off everything. Unless you need to sleep? There's clean sheets on the bed.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

If only all men were as kind and considerate as you. [Instead of moving she simply leans into the space beside him, shoulder brushing his.] I just need my very dear friend.